Ohio State scored the eventual winning touchdown on a 65-yard drive was incredible ease, and on the ground.

There was some chest-thumping from Michigan’s players afterward about a stellar effort. The Wolverines were two-touchdown underdogs and lost by just a point.

But it was kind of hollow in the bigger picture. Ohio State will play Michigan State in the Big Ten title game. The Buckeyes have dominated the rivalry, winning nine of the last 10 meetings, and 11 of the past 13. Ohio State still has an outside chance of playing in the BCS title game. The Buckeyes are 24-0 and undefeated in Big Ten play under Urban Meyer. Michigan’s regular season records have regressed under Hoke from 10-2 to 8-4 to 7-5.

There was a sea of scarlet at Michigan Stadium Saturday, the cheers nearly as loud for the Buckeyes as the Wolverines. It’s difficult to imagine a similar scene at Ohio Stadium.

“I don’t care if there were 110,000 Ohio State fans in this place, this team was going to fight,” Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said.

Hoke liked the effort, if not the result.

“I’ll be very excited to see the passion and energy we have in the next game,” he said.

It will be after the Big Ten title game, in some less-than-coveted bowl. Not only has Michigan lost nine of 10 to Ohio State, but the last five of six to Michigan State.

In truth, the Wolverines are a mediocre football team, regressing instead of progressing.

If it’s not one thing that is their undoing, it’s another.

In reality, Hoke didn’t have much to lose by going for two Saturday.

His team is the nail. Ohio State the hammer.

Overtime was not going to go well for the Wolverines.

A shot in the dark is better than no shot at all, even if it, typically for the Wolverines these days, missed.